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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Commander, Fred Rogers [email protected] 1st Vice Commander Thor Anderson [email protected] 2nd Vice Commander, Rob Altman [email protected] Adjutant, Delbert Parsons [email protected] Finance Officer, Terry Meyering [email protected] Sergeant-At-Arms, Dave Fautheree [email protected] Historian Bob Sirois [email protected] Chaplain, Ed Mendlik [email protected] Service Officer, Kevin Robinson [email protected] Judge Advocate, Paul Jones [email protected] Members-at-large Larry Marshall Lgm24_8msn.com Matt Ostergaard [email protected] James Trombley [email protected]
POST PROGRAMS: American Legion Riders Matt Ostergaard [email protected] Boy’s State Larry Marshall Law and Order Stuart Sax [email protected] Legislative Chuck Wright [email protected] Oratorical Fred Rogers [email protected] School Awards: Ted Ruybal [email protected] Scouting: David Grandfield [email protected] Voter Registration Larry Marshall [email protected] POST COMMITTEES: Audit Paul Jones [email protected] Budget: Terry Meyering [email protected] Color Guard/Honor Guard Fund Raising Skip Middleton [email protected] Newsletter Terry Meyering, editor/publisher Public Relations Rob Altman [email protected] Training Thor Anderson [email protected]
January, 2019 Vol 19
By Rob Altman, PR Com-mittee Chair
On December 14,2018, a group of members from the Peter J. Courcy
American Legion Post 178, Frisco, Texas and Jonathan Martindale, the marketing com-pany president for the U-Haul Company of West Texas, worked alongside other commu-nity volunteers to unload over 20,000 wreaths to honor veter-ans interred at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery
Wreaths across America event held on December 15, 2018. Mr. Martindale provided two U-Haul storage trucks to aid in the event preparation. Both Mr. Martindale and the American Legion Post 178 have partici-pated in the Wreaths Across America event at the DFW Na-tional Cemetery for the past five years.
A group of American Legion Peter J. Courcy Post & Unit 178 gathered with Chris, Luke, and Mary Bush for a picture at
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THE AMERICAN LEGION Peter J. Courcy Post 178 Frisco, TX
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the graveside of Corporal Peter J. Courcy during the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery Wreaths across America event on December 15, 2018. Chris and Mary Bush, Corporal Courcy’s parents began coordination of the yearly event at the DFW National Cemetery after Peter was killed in action, in Af-ghanistan, in 2009
(Continued from page 1) lence Award…less than a hand-full of the 480 Posts in the State earned this award.
Our financial position com-bined with the help from our Service Officer has allowed us to continue to help veter-ans and their families in need. We also continue to support the Clyde Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham
We continued to make a big difference in the community with our involvement in American Legion Programs such as Scouting, Texas Boys State, Law & Order, Legisla-tive and High School Oratori-cal Contest.
It is notable that our seven Committees (Membership, Finance & Budget, Fund Raising, Public Relations, Training, Honor/Color Guard and Wreaths Across America) are productive and serving the Post remarkably well.
December is not only a time of reflection on what we have done well…it is also a time to plan our actions for the new calendar year…notice I did not say activi-ties. Actions and activities may sound alike, but they are distinct-ly different. An activity is when you are busy doing something, but that task will never produce an outcome by itself. An action, on the other hand is an act that will get you a result. We are a “results oriented” Post and in 2019 we will continue to focus on actions that will make a differ-ence in our community, with our veterans and children & youth.
Thank you for your membership and support of Peter J Courcy Post 178 and for your honorable service to America. It is my hon-or to serve alongside with you.
Fred Rogers
About this newsletter
This periodic newsletter, produced by the members, for the members and about the members, is designed to highlight the many activities of Post 178 in support of Veterans, Youth and the Community at large. If you have something you would like to submit for publication, or merely ask a question, please note our contact information below:
15520 Calico Ct. Frisco, TX 75035
903-216-1514 [email protected]
http://friscolegion.org www.facebook.com/ALPOST178TX
My personal Best Wishes to each of our Post and Auxiliary members for a pros-perous and happy new year in 2019.
The calendar year 2018 was filled with continuous unprecedented membership growth and many achievements – both of which can be directly attributed to teamwork and dedication. We have much for which we can be very proud and thankful.
December of each year brings an-other milestone for Peter J Courcy Post 178. On December 13, 2013, we held a ‘Meet & Greet’ to recruit members and Post 178 came to life. That was just 5 short years ago and while we are still one of the newest posts in the State we have matured much faster than our physical age. Follows are a few of our 2018 achievements.
Membership growth once again exceeded all expectations. We are now 477 members strong and well on our way to achiev-ing our membership goals for 2019.
In 2018, we earned both the prestigious National Post Excel-lence and the Texas Post Excel-
COMMANDERS MESSAGE
Fred Rogers
By Larry Marshall, Post 178 Boy’s State Chair
American Legion Boys State is among
the most respected and selective educational programs of govern-ment instructions for high school students. It is a participatory pro-gram where each student becomes a part of the process of his local, county, and state government.
Participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and responsibilities, of a fran-chised citizen. The training is ob-jective and practical, with city, county, and state governments operated by the students elected to various offices.
Boys State is a “once in a life-time” opportunity and can only be attended by male students that have completed their Junior year in High School and nominated by their Counselor. It is also a prime program for Post 178 and the first that we voted to support.
We have received thirty-three nominees for Boys State from the Frisco High Schools, Legacy
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Christian Academy, and new Col-lege Preparatory Academy (Home School). Each of the 33 nominees will submit a resume to us for evaluation and then we will be conducting the interviews with each of the students in late Febru-ary and early March to make the selection of 25 young men to at-tend Texas Boys State at the Uni-versity of Texas in Austin.
Your Boys State Interviewing Committee members are Paul Jones, Ed Kelly, Larry Marshall, Ted Ruybal and Larry Wil-helm. We will have a challenge ahead of us to select the 25 best young men to attend Texas Boys in 2019 State.
(Continued from page 2) residents & staff. Most important-ly we visited with the veterans. The Post members involved were Marty Martel, Ron Bircher, Del-bert Parsons, David Break, Peter Abene & John Allen. As always visiting with the veterans was the highlight of the trip. We always receive more than we give. Serv-ing others enriches the soul.
BONHAM PILGRIMAGE By John Allen, Asst Chaplain
On Friday,7 Decem-ber, a group of Post 178 members went to the Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham to
deliver Christmas donations from our Post as well as the Oak Point Elementary School. The students also wrote letters to the veterans. In addition, we did a cookout of hotdogs & hamburgers for the 157
Debbie Clark, principal at Oak Point Elementary School poses with John Allen, Post 178 Asst Chaplain, in front of goods collected by her stu-dents for delivery to the Veterans State Home in Bonham
By Tracy Gamble, PR Committee
It has been a very busy fall for the ladies of ALA Unit
178! From serving our veterans to serving our community, and enjoy-ing the fellowship of our Legion Family during the holidays… we’ve had a full calendar and full hearts.
Our 2018 Girls State citizens were honored at Frisco City Council and Little Elm City Council meetings, and we are currently in the process of reviewing applications for our 2019 delegations.
Veterans Day means poppies for the Auxiliary nationwide, and our Unit has an aggressive Poppy Pro-gram, distributing these important symbols throughout our communi-ty to raise both funds and aware-ness. We repeated our great part-nership with Lowe’s, who hosted us on multiple dates to share red poppies with customers, and added a new partner, visiting the JPMor-gan Chase corporate offices to share poppies on the Friday be-fore Veterans Day. We also par-ticipated in the Frisco Communi-ty Parade, and distributed pop-pies all along the route to hun-dreds of residents before the pa-rade honoring our veterans. We also visited the Texas State Vet-erans Home and presented
Tracy Gamble
comforting gifts for some of the resident ladies in assisted living there.
In December, Unit members wrapped gifts at Barnes & Noble to raise awareness of Legion ac-tivities, and accepted donations that we will put toward important ALA programs. We also hosted the annual Christmas dinner for our Legion family, and a deli-cious meal and holiday fellow-ship were enjoyed by all.
And in the spirit of service before self, our Unit members have be-gun volunteering monthly at the Frisco Family Services food pan-try. It is a valuable way to enjoy each other’s company while also giving back to those in immedi-ate need in our area.
Glena Rogers Jane Octave, Linda Parsons, Vicky Allen, Virginia Mendlik and DeNee Jensen pose behind some to the Christmas gift baskets they (American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178) prepared for the ladies at Clyde Casper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham.
The most current calendar of upcoming events is
maintained on our website at:
https://friscolegion.org/calendar/
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By Ed Mendlik, Chaplain Post 178
The Christmas sea-son is generally a time of celebration for most people. Many of us are cele-
brating the birth of our Savior. Some people celebrate for different reasons but the point is, it is a time of celebration none the less. How-ever, there are some folks who see this season as being a difficult and sad time for them. Why? Because they are most times older folks alone in the world with no family or friends left to celebrate with.
How can we help these people you ask? I'm glad you asked because I have a suggestion for you. These folks, both veterans and civilians are living in nursing, assisted living and senior apartment homes. How about we each visit one of those homes and ask a person at that fa-cility to identify those folks who have no family in the area. Some-one there knows who they are, ei-ther an employee or one of the resi-dents. I know because that's how I find these folks. Bring along a con-tainer of cookies, candy, banana bread or maybe just a Christmas card. Then deliver it personally to one of those folks. How do you think that would make them feel? Put yourself in their place and ask yourself how would you feel if someone did that for you?
I believe this is what Christmas is about and if not then that is what it should be about. Saving someone from loneliness and isolation and giving them a sense that there are people out there who really do care about others. After all the Savior of the world came to save us and let us know He cares about each of us. After all, if it wasn't for Him there wouldn't even be a time
called Christmas.
As someone in a TV commercial once said: "try it you'll like it".
I wish everyone who reads this a Blessed Christmas and a most prosperous and healthy New Year. God bless everyone!
By Ted Ruybal, Chairman, School Awards
The American Legion has Ameri-canism as one of its Pillars.
There are many programs in this Pillar, and we at post 178 are in-volved in many of those programs.
A new program that we have started this year is the American Legion School Awards Medal program. This program is designed to recog-nize students that show exceptional Citizenship qualities.
The objectives of this program are:
To place emphasis on the develop-ment of the six core qualities of ac-tive citizenship. These qualities are; Courage, Service, Scholarship, Honor, Leadership and Patriot-ism.
Encourages the development of those ideals in young Americans to promote engaged citizenship.
Offers recognition for those youth deemed most dedicated to the high qualities of citizenship and true Americanism.
We are currently working with Cor-bell Elementary school in Frisco.
We established a series of veteran talks with students and faculty to highlight the six qualities of active citizenship. A set of criteria has been determined for the awarding of the Medals and students and faculty will be involved in the selection.
We will attend the end of school awards program at Corbell Elemen-tary, and present our School Awards medals and a certificate to the male and female students selected as the best in their grade level.
I invite any post 178 member who is interested, to join me in making this a successful program.
CHAPLAINS CORNER
Ed Mendlik
IN MEMORIAM LYNN VOWEL passed away on Sunday November 4, 2018. He was a veteran of the US Navy and 83 years old. He served as our Oratorical Chairman for 2018.
TERRY BEATY passed away on 11/14/2018. He was a retired USAF veteran and a charter member of Post 178.
SCHOOL AWARDS MEDAL PROGRAM
Michael Hollander had shoulder surgery on 11/26 2018 and is recovering and doing well.
Paul Jones Judge Advocate Post 178, was hospitalized on 12/8 - 12/9/2018 and has recov-ered since.
Robert Durer is currently re-covering from an injury due to a fall. If you would like to wish him a speedy recovery you can send cards to:
Robert Durer, 5117 Sky Lake Drive, Plano, TX 75093
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By Thor Anderson, 1st Vice Commander
Our goal for the 2018-2019 year is 477 members. Cur-rently our total is 342 or 71.7% of our goal.
This total includes 23 new mem-bers and 38 transfers. We still have 185 members who have not renewed their membership and the membership committee is working diligently to encourage these members to renew. Without a doubt, we are well on our way to another record breaking mem-bership year.
Two membership drives were conducted during December, one at the Frisco Gun Club and the other during the Frisco Merry Main Street event. Thanks go out to the following for their partici-pation in these events; David Grandfield, Larry Marshall, Matt Ostergaard, Delbert Parsons, and Ted Ruybal.
I would like to start adding some different types of membership re-cruiting events. Although the Gun Club and Merry Main Street are great events there needs to be more outreach in the community. Please, if you have any sugges-tions let me, Fred Rogers or Del-bert Parsons know.
Remember, members are our life-blood. Their dues allow us to to continue our good work with vet-erans, youth and the community at large.
All members are asked to recruit just one new member each year – It is not hard to do, when you are out and about at work, church, or events and meet a veteran “Just Ask”
By Larry Marshall - Voter Registration Chair
Collin and Denton County Dep-uty Registrars from Post 178 will be attending a training class at their respective County seats to renew their credentials to register individuals to vote in future elec-tions. Delbert Parsons is coordi-nating the Collin County Deputy Registrars for their training in McKinney and Larry Marshall is coordinating the Denton County Deputy Registrars for their train-ing in Denton. This will be the fifth year that we have been con-ducting Voters Registration in both Collin and Denton Counties.
We currently have 5 Collin County Deputy Registrars: Thor Anderson, Ed & Virginia Mend-lik, Terry Meyering and Delbert Parsons and 5 Denton County Deputy Registrars: David Break, Larry Marshall, Marty Martel, Fred Rogers and Ted Ruybal.
Once training has been complet-ed, we will be certified to con-duct voter registrations in both counties for the next two years.
We will be conducting at least two events for the City of Frisco, one at City Hall and one at the Frisco Senior Citizen Center. In addition, we will continue to pro-vide voter registration to all Frisco High School, Home Own-ers Associations, Chamber of Commerce, and other organiza-tions by request.
It is important that each citizen can vote for the candidates they wish to be elected to a specific office and that is the main reason for us participating in this worth-while program. Municipal elec-tions will be held in May 2019.
By Matt Ostergaard, Captain Post 178 ALR
“Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut connecting the handlebars to the saddle” – Unknown.
The year seemed to go 100 mph for us. Looking forward to 2019 with as many rides and much more. Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Teddy Bear Ride for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County – and several oth-ers for camaraderie – the Riders Chapter joined thousands of riders in North Texas and abroad to join for great veteran and community causes.
As we move forward into the new year, let’s not forget our brothers and sisters who are still alone, homeless, ill, and those who have wounds that aren’t visible. Let us continue to provide quiet and humble service as others talk about taking action. Finally, in the spirit of the NAM-POW confer-ence held in Frisco this year – thank a fellow veteran for his ser-vice and remind him or her to never forget.
MEMBERSHIP GETTING OUT THE VOTE
Find A Way To Serve—Research shows that people who volunteer live longer, recov-er from illness faster and report being hap-pier. "When you serve others, it gives you a depth of happiness that cannot be experi-enced from any other activity."
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Our annual Holiday Party was once again a joyous occa-sion with comaraderie and fun had by all. The party fea-tured a silent auction of donated gifts that raised $1,290 for our Auxiliary to replenish their general fund.
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By David Grandfield, Scoutmaster Troop 178
Troop 178 is excit-ed about the begin-ning of the new year. 2019 is prov-ing to be an exciting year for the troop. For starters we wel-
come our new Chartered Organiza-tion Representative Len Havron. Len has been an Assistant Scout-master with our troop for 4 years now and has been a member of the American Legion for 3 years. His son is a member of the troop as well and has progressed admirably through the ranks. Len has been very active with the troop and has always made it a point to let us know of any sugges-tions he has for helping keep the troop organized and running smoothly. He is also in the final stages of completing his Wood-badge Tickets, so we are expecting more good news about Len soon. Len is replacing Larry Marshall in this position as Larry has taken on the responsibility of running the Texas Boy’s State program. Larry, the Troop wishes you all the best and we truly appreciate your ser-vice as Chartered Organization Representative. Late last year the troop completed its annual planning for 2019. I is-sued them a challenge to expand their horizons. I asked them to plan at least one camping event that is at lease 250 miles from home for each of the four quarters of the year. They have answered that call and then some. This year we will be visiting most-ly new camping locations including Colorado Bend State Park, Ft. Da-
vis and the McDonald Observato-ry, Caddo Lake State Park and Camp Squanto in Boston, Massa-chusetts. Camp Squanto will be the Troops Extended Summer Camp adventure for 2019. During the trip to Camp Squanto we are planning on making stops in the Washington DC area to visit National Monuments and several Smithsonian Museums. Hopefully we can tour Congress and maybe the White House. We also want to stop at Ft. Campbell in Kentucky to visit the Home of Peter J Cour-cy’s Unit in honor of our Post’s Namesake. If you have any information or contacts that may be of assistance in helping the troop achieve some of these goals please feel free to contact Scoutmaster Grandfield at [email protected]. We are also looking into the possi-bility of spending overnights at American Legion Posts as we “Journey Across America” to and from Camp Squanto.
David Grandfield
David Terry, Clay Davis, Thor Anderson & Terry Meyering are recognized by Commander Fred Rogers for having graduated from the American Legion Basic Train-ing Course. 23 members of our
Training course
Post have now completed the online course...an incredibly high number.
The link to take the course is le-gion.org/alei. We send the link for this very important course on the history and programs of the American Legion to all new mem-bers.
By Larry Marshall, Post 178 Color Guard Admin-istrator
HONOR/COLOR GUARD UPDATE
The Honor/Color Guard has been very busy representing our Post in 2018, as we conducted a total of 58 events.
The Guards visibility on behalf of our veterans, community, and youth brings special recognition to our Post. We perform events to serve our veterans, assisted living centers, schools, funerals, civic events, pa-rades, and sporting events. Some of the events we have participated in are: Frisco Freedom Fest, Memorial Day at Commons Park, NCAA Di-vision I Championship Football game, Community/ Veterans Day Parade, Assisted Living Centers, schools, and the DXL Frisco Bowl.
We had the honor of Posting the Colors for the 45th Reunion of the Vietnam P.O.W. National Conven-tion which was held at the Omni in Frisco. It was a pleasure visiting with these veterans and listening to some of the hardships these indi-viduals had to endure.
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We currently have 12 members in the Guard and Eric Bonar serves as the Guard's photographer when available. We continue to practice once a month to improve our skills of flag folding, presentation and posting of the Colors, and march-ing drills.
(Continued from page 7) gift; their time spent with these most, precious Veterans.
Post #178 has provided Christ-mas gifts for each of the 160 resi-dents along with a cookout for the past four years. The Veterans al-ways look forward to Post #178 coming to visit. Post #178 was also so gracious and donated a large, flat screen TV for the activ-ity room back in 2015. The Veter-ans still enjoy watching football games and Western movies on this nice TV. Post #178 also do-nated a grill to our facility in 2016. They use this grill through-out the year to provide our resi-dents and staff with wonderful cookouts!
Also, the Veterans are still enjoy-ing the popcorn machine donated by Post #178 in 2017. They enjoy hot, fresh popcorn every day. Our guests and family members that come in to the facility enjoy the wonderful taste and aroma that the popcorn provides as well!
Post #178 has also provided their color guard 3 to 4 times per year for various military celebrations and has always followed those
programs with a cookout as well.
In addition to the gentlemen of Post #178, the Ladies’ Auxiliary also visit the ladies in residence several times a year and give them special gift bags, birthday cards and spend time getting to know them. The ladies of the Auxiliary are so sweet and our lady resi-dents thoroughly enjoy spending time with them whenever they vis-it.
While Post #178 along with their Ladies’ Auxiliary has given gifts and delicious food, the time each of the members has spent with our Veterans is truly PRICELESS. Whether they are walking the halls saying “hello” to our Veterans or sitting down and sharing a cup of coffee and a war story; these visits and gift of their time means more than any big, screen TV or Christ-mas gift in a pretty package. Time is so precious and fleeting and we are forever grateful for the time Post #178 members give to our Veterans.
With Sincere Gratitude,”
Tiffany L. Clark, ADPC – Director of Activi-ties , Nitin Mall, LNFA - Administrator
The Post 178 Color Guard presenting the Colors during a pep rally at Lakeside Middle School, Little Elm, on November 9th. Post member Felipe Vargas is the Vice Principal at the school and under his direction this was the first time the students had ever seen the Colors presented. (L-R Ted Ruybal, Fred Rogers, Larry Marshall, Larry Wilhelm).
Post 178 Color Guard presenting the Colors for NAM-POW farewell dinner at the Omni Hotel in Frisco
Following is a testimonial letter re-ceived from the Texas State Veteran’s Home in Bonham, TX
“The American Legion Peter J. Courcy Post #178 – Frisco, Texas has been a very giving post over the past four years to the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home. They have not only given their service and donations but they have given the most precious
THANK YOU LETTER
Post 178 members posing with some of the goods donated to Bonham Veteran’s Home L-R- Marty Martel, Ron Bircher, Tiffany Clark,Activities Director, Delbert Parsons, John Allen,David Break, & Peter Abene.
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American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178 members Pam Break, Virginia Mendlik, Vicky Hicks, Glena Rogers and Mary Bush gather at the Frisco Food Pantry where they volunteer one day per month.
Commander Fred Rogers presents a book to Shelly Holly, Director of Frisco Public Library as associates Mayra Diaz and Thomas Finley look on. Post 178 donated 40 books authored by, or otherwise pertaining to Vietnam POW Veterans.
Post 178 Color Guard members with Prairie Estates Nursing Home Veterans Sherril Wilson--Army, Stephen Dumar--Navy, Dean Murray--Navy, Kirk Fuller--Army, Robert Salazar--Army, Irene Autene--Army, Clifford Clark--Navy and Joe Moats--Army.
Post 178 Color Guard members posing with Park Manor Nursing Home veter-ans (L-R) Dewayne St. James - Army, TJ Craig - Army, Tanya Taylor - Army, Marvin Merritt - Army & Wayne Cum-mings - Navy on 11/15/18
Greg Clark, Chief Marketing Officer for Caliber Collision, receives a Certificate of Appreciation form Commander Fred Rogers. Caliber Collision has restored and presented many cars to Veterans in need. They also maintain a program that trains and places Service men and women, that are about to rotate to civil-ian life, into careers with Caliber Colli-sion shops around the country.
Fred Rogers, Commander and Larry Marshall, Boys State Chair receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for Partner-ing with FISD to benefit the stu-dents. The award was presented by Jenna Benabe - Community Outreach Liaison/Communications Dept. of Frisco Independent School District.
2018 members of Texas Boys State be-ing recognized by Frisco Independent School District for selection. Members of Post 178 are accompanying the Statesmen along with Dr. Mike Waldrip - FISD Superintendent and John Classe - President of the FISD School Board.
Post 178 Color Guard Presenting the Colors at the DXL Bowl Championship game at Toyota Stadium on Wednes-day, December 19, 2018.. The Frisco Bowl is an annual college bowl game hosted by Frisco, The Bowl game is owned and operated by ESPN Events and is affiliated with the American Athletic Conference .
Post 178 Color Guard preparing to Pre-sent the Colors at Stonebriar Country Club for the annual golf tournament honoring veterans. The tournament was sponsored by ClubCorp Charities and was opened to the public. Color Guard members (from L to R) Dave Fautheree, Terry Meyering, Larry Mar-shall, Larry Wilhelm, and John Ricca.
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Post 178 is looking for sponsors
to off-set the cost of printing and publishing this newsletter and other information pieces distrib-uted to our membership and the community at large. Sponsor-ship will consist of display type advertising; either business cards, 1/2 page or full page dis-plays.
Pricing will be:
BUSINESS CARDS: $25.00 per issue or $75/yr (4 quar-terly issues)
ONE HALF PAGE: $175 pre
SPONSORS WANTED issue or $525/yr (4 quarter-ly issues)
FULL PAGE: $250 per issue or $750/yr (4 quarterly is-sues) for full page.
These spaces will be offered on first-come-first-served basis with preference going to Post mem-bers. Total advertising space will be limited to the equivalent of 2 pages.
If you are aware of an individual or business interested in sup-porting our needs through this sponsorship program please contact Terry Meyering at [email protected], or 972-998-9993
